Control switch for railway traffic controlling systems



J. F. MERKEL 2,091,155

TROLLING SYSTEMS Aug. 24, 1937.

CONTROL SWITCH FOR RAILWAY TRAFFIC CON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21,

ATTORNEY J.. F. MERKEL Aug. 24, 1937.

CONTROL SWITCH FOR RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING SYSTEMS Filed June 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gNVPIT R I Patented Aug. 24, 1937 5 PATENT OFFICE CONTROL SWITCH FOR. RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING SYSTEMS Joseph F. Merkel, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to General Railway Signal Company, Rochester,

Application June 21, 1932, Serial No. 618,500

8 Claims.

This'inv'ention relates to control switches, and more particularly to a rotary type of switch incorporating an indicating means or a push button contactor.

In railway centralized traific controlling systems in which remote switches and signals are controlled from a central point, it is found convenient to employ a; compact control panel on which the controls for the complete system may be easily reached by a single operator. It is also expedient to mark a miniature diagram of the railway system on the control panel and to locate the controls on the panel in such a manner that they may be readily associated with the functions 15 which they perform. Various indicating means are necessary in such a centralized traflic controlling system and when small indicating lights are employed on the control panel, the problem arises of associating such lights with their particular part of the system as well as distinguishing a plurality of characters of indications from a single light.

In view of the above and other considerations it is proposed in accordance with the present in- 25 vention to provide a compact and sturdy control switch which may be easily mounted on a panel and which may incorporate an auxiliary push button contactor or a light arranged to give various indications associated with the switch and its 30 operated position.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will appear as the description thereof progresses during which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in

35 which:--

40 shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial view of the switch of Fig. 1 incorporating a push button circuit controller instead of an indicating light. v

Fig. 4 is an end view of a section taken on line 45 4-4 of Fig. 2 viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. is a partial view of a modified'form of an operating knob which may be used in the present invention.

50 Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the present device arranged in a system for remotely controlling a railway track switch and trackway signals.

The specific embodiment of the present invention shown herein is assembled about a tubular I gers from the body of the screws I8.

insulating member I which may be molded from suitable material such as Bakelite. A metallic sleeve 2 having a knurled insulating knob 3 molded thereon rotates inside one end of the tubular member I and is held therein by a screw 4 which is threaded into the member I with an extension resting in an annular slot 5 in the metallic sleeve 2. This screw 4 in the slot 5 retains the sleeve 2 within the member I, and also serves to limit the rotation of the sleeve 2, which in the -form illustrated is allowed to rotate through approximately 180 as determined by the length of the slot 5.

A cam 6 is formed integral with the sleeve 2 by allowing a section of the circumference of the sleeve to extend outwardly with its edgesbeveled as shown. This cam is operable by rotation of the knob 3 to engage either a roller I or a roller 8 spaced at approximately 180 on the member hand these rollers I and 8 are secured to respective spring contact fingers 9 and ID by pins ii. These rollers I and 8 are normally biased by their spring contact fingers through rectangular openings in the side of the member I against opposite sides of a tube I2 of insulating material, which tube I2 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 extends the total length of the switch.

It is then obvious that when either roller 1 or 8 is engaged by the cam 6 its associated spring contact 9 or I0 is forced outwardly to engage associated stationary spring contacts i3 or I I. These stationary spring contact fingers I3 and I4 are biased so that inwardly extending ends thereof rest against the side of the member I when not engaged by the associated movable spring contact fingers and are provided with low resistance contact points whichiare engageable with low resistance contacts IS on the movable spring fingers 9 and Ill.

The movable spring contact fingers 9 and iii are separated from the stationary fingers I3 and II by insulating spacers I1, and are held against opposite flat side of the member I by through screws I8 which pass through bushings I9, two of which bushings are placed on each screw i8 so that enlarged heads thereof rest against the outside surface of the stationary fingers I3 and I 4 with the smaller body portion insulating the fin- It is desired to be understood that, although only a single movable contact finger with its associated stationary finger is shown on each side of the member I, a plurality of such groups of associated stationary and movable fingers could be assembled in a pile and operated by a single roller through 2|] of insulating material which is held by the screws l8 and bushings I9. Two spring contact strips 2| and 22 are held between opposite sides of the block 20 and the inside of the tube l2 and arranged at right angles to the contact fingers which are actuated by the cam 6. These contact strips 2| and 22 are held in place by center punched portions which are turned inwardly torest in a transverse hole in the block with the inward ends biased to the shape shown in Fig. 1.

20 A small incandescent lamp L is placed within the tube |2 so that contacts arranged on the side thereof engage the inwardly biased ends of the terminal strips 2| and 22. A lens 23 moulded into suitable insulating material 24 which is held on a 25 spring sleeve 25 is pressed into the open end of the tube I2 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1

and Fig. 2.

The form of the switch shown in Fig. 1v and Fig. 2 is of the three-position type, or that is, it

has a center position at which both contacts 9 and ID are out of engagement with their associated contacts l3 and J4, and is operable approximately 90 either side of this position to engage contact fingers 9 and I3 when operated to one side, or to engage contact fingers l0 and M when operated to the other side. When the knob 3 has been turned to any one of these three operated positions a ball 26 is forced into a depression on the surface of the sleeve 2 by a leaf spring 21 held against the member by screws 28. These depressions 29 as shown in Fig. 2 are so spaced that when the knob 3 has been turned at its desired position, the ball 25 resting therein resiliently checks rotation and holds the switch in its operated position. This arrangement also allows the operator to accurately position the switch for proper closing of the selected contacts.

In some applications of this switch, a movement to two positions only is required, or that is, a

movement from center to either right or left which is approximately 90 degrees. To limit the rotation of the knob 3 in this case a small arcuate 90 sector may be placed in one end of the slot 5 to prevent movement of the screw 4 in this half of the slot 5. When such a two position switch is employed to control a switch machine, it is necessary to have one contact closed when the control switch is operated to one position and the other contact closed when operated to the opposite position. To accomplish this, the cam 6 may be made from a'greater sector of the sleeve 2 as diagrammatically shown in control switch SMC in Fig. 6 which is illustrated as controlling the remote track swit'ch machine SM.

In the optional arrangement shown in Fig. 3,

a push button contactor is substituted for the indicating lamp arrangement shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and this push button consists of a plunger P having an'enlarged end extending beyond the knob 3 and entering within the metallic sleeve 2.

The plunger P is held within the knob 3' by a screw 32 threaded into the knob 3 and extendim: into a slot 33 in the circular portion of the plunger P, and obviously this arrangement also limits the operating motion of the plunger. The extreme rear end of this plunger P has a still smaller circular portion upon which is placed a metallic .ring 34 and held in place by a pin 35. In this embodiment the inside ends of the contact strips 2| and 22 are shortened so that they extend only a slight distance beyond the insulating plug 20. These ends are shaped as shown in Fig. 3 so as to be engageable by the metallic ring 34 when the plunger P of the push button is depressed to thereby electrically connect the vtwo contact strips 2| and 22.

A means by which the push button may be mounted upon the control panel is clearly shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 which comprises two holding strips 31 clamped to the control panel 38 by screws 39, which screws have enlarged heads with a knurled portion pressed into holes in the panel 38 and hold the strips 31 by nuts 40 threaded thereon. An annular shoulder I is moulded on the'tubular member I which rests against the rear side of the panel 38 and has opposite sectors cut therefrom which allows the strips 31 to pass through these sectors and the, shoulder to be placed against the rear side of the panel 38. The tubular member I may then be turned so that the retaining strips 31 engage the rear side of the shoulder to hold the complete switch on the panel 38. These strips 31 also have small extensions which are turned inwardly and rest in holes drilled in the panel 38 to prevent turning when the switch is removed.

Cl V

It will be noted that in the embodiment shown I in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the knob 3 rotates about the stationary lens 23 which is held within the end of the stationary tube l2, and to indicate the position of the knob a pin 42 is inserted in the front "edge of the knob 3 which may be conspicuously colored so as to readily indicate the operated position of the switch. However, in some cases, it is desired to have the lens 23 rotate with the knob 3, and in which case, an arrangement may be employed such as shown in Fig. 5, or that is, the tube l2 may be made shorter and a lens 50 held by a member 5| may be pressed directly inside of the knob 3 so as to rotate therewith.

' In cases in which an indication is only desired when the lamp L is energized suitable marking such as an arrow or a distinctivenumber may be placed on the inside of the lens 23 so that when the lamp L is not energized, this arrow is not visible but becomes visible due to the light from the lamp L when energized. In other cases, it is desirable to have a marking on the front of the control switch which will designate its function and to have this marking, such as a number or an arrow, visible at all times, and in such cases the mark may be placed on the outside of the lens, or if an indication light is not provided, a solid non-transparent insert arranged as the lens 50 and holder 5| may be cemented directly to the knob 3 or the tube l2 according to whether it is desired to be stationary or rotatable.

The system arrangement in Fig. 6 shows. very diagrammatically two applications of the device herein specifically described. A three-position form of the present control switch embodying an indicating light is shown as SGC and is employed to selectively clear either signal A or signal B. This switch is shown in the stop position S and is operable counter-clockwise to position CA which closes its contacts 9 and I3 to clear signal A, which signal may be of the two-position type of high signal for governing high speed trafiic movements. This switch SGC is likewise operable clockwise to a position CB which closes its contacts In and I4 to clear signal B, which may be of the two-position low signal type for governing diverging traiiic movements. The actual control circuits for eflecting the clearing of the signals have not been shown in the accompanying diagram, but it is understood that this is accomplished in the usual manner and is merely indicated by the dotted lines 42 and 43.

An indicating light GI which may be the lamp L shown in Fig. 1 is employed to indicate the clearing of either signal A or B and is shown for an example as being energized from a back contact 48 of a relay M, which relay is arranged in the conventional manner to bede-energized by the clearing of either signal A or B which is merely indicated by the dotted line 44. p

The two-position form of the control switch SMC previously described is shown in Fig. 6 as controlling a switch machine SM arranged to operate a track switch TS. This switch is shown in its normal control position N which closes contacts ID and M to operate the switch machine to its normal position over wire NC and may be operated counter-clockwise to a reverse control position R. which closes contacts 9 and E3 to operate the switch machine to its reverse position over wire RC. A corresponding indicating light CI is shown associated with the control switch SMC and again this light may be the lamp L in Fig. 1. A relay W? is arranged in a conventional manner so that its contacts are positioned to correspond to the operated position of the switch machine SM and an energizing circuit is shown on the drawings which lights the indicating light CI whenever the position of the contacts of the control switch SMC corresponds to the position of the contacts of relay WP. The indicating lamp CI is now energized over a circuit from (-1-) contact i0 and contact ll, contact 45 of relay WP to the left through the lamp of the indicating light CI to and it is obvious that a movement of the control switch SMC to its reverse position would de-energize this light until the contact 45 of relay WP had moved to its left position in correspondence with the position of the control switch.

In this manner the lamp L of Fig. 1 may be employed to indicate when the control device has operated to a position corresponding to the position of the switch, or if it is desired to have the lamp L normally de-energized, the reverse arrangement may be employed as well, or that is, the energizing circuit may be arranged to light the lamp L only when the control device is in a position which is out of correspondence with the position of the control switch. It is also contemplated that in some applications where the control switch is mounted in the track of the miniature system layout the indicating lamp L may be lighted to indicate the presence 01' a train in a track section associated with the signal or track switch which the switch is arranged to control. The operated position of the track switch TS may be indicated on the control panel by a movable point MP. which may be actuated by a suitable electro-magnetic means controlled by contact 48 of relay WP in the manner described in the prior application of S. N. Wight, Serial No. 431,748 filed February 27, 1930, all of which is merely indicated herein by the dotted line 41.

75 A rotary switch has thus been provided which is simple and compact in its design and which is easily mounted on a control panel in a railway centralized trafllc controlling system in a manner to readily be associated with the particular traiiic controlling device which it governs by its location in 'a miniature diagram of the railway system inscribed on the panel. Provision has also been made for incorporating an indicating light in a hollow center of the control switch which may be remotely controlledv to display various indications which are directly associated with the particular control switch and an auxiliary push button contactor has been provided which is interchangeable with the indicating light for mounting in the said hollow center of the control switch.

Having thus shown and described one specific embodiment of the present invention and having shown it applied to a single circuit arrangement it is desired to be understood that this has been done for the purpose of showing how this invention may be applied rather than illustrating its scope or the exact construction preferably employed in practice; and that the specific construction'shown is susceptible of considerable modifications to adapt the invention to the particular interlocking or traiiic controlling system to which it may be applied, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, except a limited by the appended claims.

What I claim is:-

1. In a control switch, a tubular mounting membena cylinder rotatable within said tubular member through a predetermined sector, a hol-. low knob on said cylinder extending in front of said tubular member, a stationary tube within said tubular member and said cylinder, a lamp socket attached to the rear of said tube, a stationary lamp within said tube, a lens closing the front end of said tube, spaced groups of insulated contact means mounted on said tubular member, and a cam on said cylinder arranged to selectively operate said groups of contacts according to the rotated position of said knob.

2.'In a control switch, a tubular mounting member, a cylinder rotable within said tubular member through a predetermined sector, a hollow knob on said cylinder extending in front of 'said tubular member, a stationary tube within said said groups of contacts according to the rotated position of said knob, and a spring biased detent arranged to resiliently check the rotation of said cylinder when assuming any one of its various contact operating positions.

3. In a rotary control switch for railway trafllc controlling devices, a tubular mounting member, an operating knob having an extending cylinder rotatable within one end of said tubular member, a radial slot in said extending cylinder receiving a screw carried by the tubular member whereby the cylinder is retained within the tubular mem-- her and rotation oi. the cylinder is confined to a predetermined sector, inner and outer cooperating spring contacts on the mounting member, a

, roller on said inner spring contacts arranged in transverse relation to said tubular member and extending through an opening in the side of said tubular member, and a. cam formed on said extending cylinder operable to engage said rollers whereby said inner spring contact is forced into engagement with said outer spring contact.

4. In a rotary control switch for railway trafilc controlling devices, a tubular mounting member,

5 an operating knob having an extending cylinder rotatable within one end of said tubular member, a radial slot in said extending cylinder receiving a screw carried by the tubular member whereby the cylinder is retained within the tubular membar and rotation of the cylinder is confined to a predetermined sector, inner and outer cooperating spring contacts mounted on the mounting member, a roller on said inner spring contacts arranged in transverse relation to said tubular member'and extending through opening in the side of said tubular membena cam formed on said extending cylinder operable to engage said rollers whereby said inner spring contact is forced into engagement with said outer spring contact, a plurality of spaced indentations in the outside surface of said extending cylinder, and a spring biased ball carried by said tubular member and arranged to enter any one of said indentations whereby rotation of said cylinder is resiliently checked.

5. In a rotary control switch for railway traflic controlling devices, a tubular mounting member, an operating knob having an extending cylinder rotatable within one end of said tubular member,

a radial slot in said extending cylinder receiving a screw carried by the tubular member whereby the cylinder is retained within the tubular member and rotation of the cylinder is confined to a predetermined sector, inner and outer cooperating spring contacts on the mounting member, an inwardly bent extension at the end of the outer spring contact engageable with the tubular member to limit motion of the outer spring contact toward the inner spring contact, a roller on said inner spring contact arranged in transverse relation to said tubular member and extending through an opening in the side of said tubular member, and a cam formed on said extending cylinder operable to engage said rollers whereby said inner spring contact is forced into engagement with said outer spring contact.

6. In a rotary control switch for railway tramc controlling devices, a tubular mounting member, an operating knob having an extending cylinder rotatable within one end of said tubular member,

a first spring contact on the tubular member,

a second spring contact mounted on the tubular member outside of the first spring contact and extending beyond the end of the first spring con- 6 tact to engage the tubular member, a roller on said inner spring contact arranged in transverse relation to said tubular member and extending through an opening in the side of said tubular member, and a cam formed on said extending l0 cylinder operable to engage said roller whereby said first spring contact is forced into engagement s With said second spring contact.

7. In a control switch, in combination, a mounting panel, carrying; a fixed outer elongated tubul5 lar casing, a fixed inner elongated tubular casing within the outer casing and extending beyond one end of the outer casing, a hollow operating knob rotatable on the extending end of the inner casing, a fixed lamp carried by the inner casing, a 0 lens completely covering the opening in the extending end of the inner casing, an intermediate elongated tubular sleeve operably connected to the knob and movable thereby between the outer and inner casings, spaced contacts carried by the 25 outer casing, and means controlled by the knob and intermediate sleeve for selectively closing the contacts.

8. In a control switch, in combination, a mounting panel, carrying; a fixed outer elongated tubu- 30 lar casing, a fixed inner elongated tubular casing within the outer casing and extending beyond one end of the outer casing, a hollow operating knob rotatable on the extending end of the inner casing, a fixed lamp carried by the inner casing, a 35 lens positioned wholly beyond the knob and completely covering the opening in the extending end of the inner casing, an intermediate elongated tubular sleeve operably connected to the knob and movable thereby between the outer and inner 40 casings, a radial slot in the sleeve receiving a stop member carried by the outer fixed casing whereby to retain the sleeve in the outer casing and limit movement of the sleeve therein, a plurality of pairs of spaced contacts directly connected to, and 45 carried by, the outer casing, and means controlled by the knob and intermediate sleeve for selectively closing the pairs of contacts.

, JOSEPH F. MERKEL. 

